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Friday, 26 February 2016

Well it would appear that I have some of my sewjo back! After writing in my last post that I wanted to get this outfit sewn up I actually went and did it. Not only that but I've made something else too! I'm not feeling very inspired for myself at the moment but that's okay, because the Child needs almost a complete wardrobe replenish.

This is the Oliver & S Lunch Box Tee and Culottes, something that I've had my eye on for a while but for some reason couldn't see myself making. I think because I didn't think there would be a lot of variations but now I have it my mind is whirring with ideas - these culottes would be perfect school uniform wear! (Katy has already done this and they are fab!)

The fabric from the top came from Marilla's recent destash and is a thin-ish french terry. It is lovely, stable and soft, perfect for children's wear although I can see it is not that practical colour wise! It's already had kiwi down it but it has lived to tell the tale! The transfer came from Van Ikke which I bought having seen Nicole's. It really is very good quality and has stayed put following its first wash.

It was really very quick to put together, although next time I may leave the front pockets off. Aesthetically I love them but from a practical point of view I'm undecided. The temptation to use pockets if they are available is too great and I have visions of all sorts being left in there in the wash and then also I hate the thought of her walking around with her hands in her pockets!

Apparently this is what a duck looks like...

I decided to use denim for the culottes so they would go with everything and hopefully last well. Since these are really quite big on her I think they will last a few years! I could have done a deeper hem but don't really feel like going back and changing it now so they are staying this long. I bought the denim at some point last year when I was on a denim and chambray binge. Its quite a medium weight and I think is probably the heaviest fabric I would use for these.

I love the heels on the ankles look, it might catch on!

For the waistband and pockets I used my favourite Liberty print (Betsy) which I bought from Sewbox. I interfaced the whole waistband, not just the central section as per the instructions, as the fabric was so light. It seems to have worked well. I quite fancy making a woven back button Lunch Box Tee using Betsy to coordinate with these culottes for the summer. I'm not sure how well it would work but now I've put it in writing it has to happen!

I am so happy with this outfit. I came out pretty much exactly as I imagined it and I think it will get a lot of wear. The culottes especially I can see being worn a lot. Next up on my to-sew-list is a Book Day costume and then I think I will be on to boring basics - so dull to sew but so necessary! I'm hoping my jersey scrap box will make things a little more interesting. Have a good weekend everyone!

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

I am really struggling to find time to sew at the moment. Part of this is lack of motivation but also part of it is just a general malaise so when I have finished for the day and go to get my sewing stuff out I find I just don't have the energy! I wish this meant I was doing more knitting to make up for it but unfortunately I find I am not really doing anything. I am sure this will pass but to try to ease myself back into the rhythm of things I thought I would make a pretty but practical dress for my daughter's 6th birthday - sadly this wasn't finished in time for her birthday but it is here at last!

The pattern is the Oliver & S Playtime Dress which I hadn't bought previously and now I'm not sure why. The pattern consists of a tunic length dress, this length dress and a pair of leggings so it is very versatile. The dress can be made from either woven or jersey and this is exactly the sort of thing my daughter likes wearing. I made the size 6 for this dress and as you can see from the photos it is quite large on her at the moment. She will grow though, and with fabric like this I want to get as much wear out of clothes as possible!

I bought the fabric from Sewbox with very vague plans to make a Christmas dress, or maybe another pair of dungalottes. I didn't want the fabric to sit and marinade in my stash for ages and not get used up but at the same time I wanted to find a good pattern for the fabric that would make the most of it and be the sort of thing that would be worn. I didn't want this fabric to end up as something too special to be worn regularly and therefore not get value for money from it! I bought some other bits of Liberty fabrics at the same time so hopefully they will make their way into the child's wardrobe fairly soon.

As this is the first time I have made this pattern I sewed it up exactly as per the pattern but next time I think I would like to add a collar, and maybe elasticated cuffs (I still may change these). One of the things I love about this pattern is the stitched down facings. I really hate facings normally because they flap about but as these are stitched down I decided they could stay! I used some dusky pink linen look cotton for the facings and pockets left over from another project and some mauve mother of pearl type buttons which I am pretty sure I bought with something in mind but cannot remember what!

I love Oliver & S patterns because the instructions are fantastic, I have learnt so much sewing from them over the years, they are the first place I go when looking for new clothes patterns for the child. I have also just bought the Lunch Box Tee and Culottes which I'm hoping to have sewn up this week and I've got my eye on the Carousel Dress, although I'm not sure I can justify that having bought two other patterns and with so many other patterns I already own. The child is badly in need of clothes, so badly that I bought her some for the first time in years a few weeks back, so I'm hoping to channel my limited energies into replenishing her wardrobe with a view to getting my motivation back!